My daughters and I have never been anywhere for Spring Break; heck, I don't think I ever have either. I have been divorced for almost 9 years now and we have never been able to take a vacation anywhere. So, every year, when I hear of others going somewhere on a trip, I can't help but wish I could take my girls somewhere too.
As a mother, I feel bad not being able to do this for my girls. I don't think it is fair that I can not do this because my daughters deserve it. They are so helpful around the house, they are good - usually, they do their best to serve others, there are doing very well in school, and they show me respect as their mother. So, naturally I want to reward them. Yes, there have been times in the past that they have mentioned going somewhere on vacation. There have been times when they have asked "why not?" However, over the years, they have just come to learn that we are not going anywhere, so they don't even ask. Then, eventually, they learned to appreciate the time we spend here at home together during those times that others are gone on vacations.
The problem with me, as their mother, thinking that they 'deserve' a vacation is that they don't. No one does! I am suppose to be teaching my daughters about how to live as Christ did. I am suppose to be showing them how Christians look at life. Sometimes, it seems as though they are teaching me! My daughters have had to overcome many obstacles in their lives already - at such an early age. Some may look at these as a bad thing, we don't. For my girls to stand strong through it all, this early on in life, shows me that they will be OK later on in life too. These obstacles have proven to be good things that help us build our character, Godly wisdom, strength, and faith. Would I rather life not be so hard for my daughters, of course I would. But if it were, they might not be who they are today - and that would be awful because they ARE AMAZING GIRLS!
There is nothing wrong with going away on a vacation. So, if you are going away for Spring Break - be safe, have fun, enjoy your time together. If you are staying home, create your own fun, spend quality one on one time together, use your imagination, appreciate the small blessings, and RELAX!
A few ideas we have come up with in the past...
SIMPLE BOARD GAMES
CARD GAMES
MAKING CARDS, PICTURES FOR OTHERS
DANCE OFFS
EXPLORING NATURE SOMEWHERE - weather permitted of course
MAKING THE WHOLE HOUSE A TENT
BAKING
VISITING NURSING HOMES, HOSPITALS, ETC.
TELLING STORIES TO EACH OTHER
MOVIES
DRESS UP GAMES
MAKE-OVER NIGHT
SCAVENGER HUNTS
These are just a few ideas that we have done in the past....main thing to keep in mind is, no matter where you are - make sure you are spending that time together as if it were your last moment!!
